What does "e.g." stand for?

The abbreviation "e.g." stands for "exempli gratia," which translates to "for example" in English. This term is commonly used in legal writing and other formal texts to introduce one or more examples that clarify or illustrate a point being made. When a writer uses "e.g.," they indicate that the following examples are not exhaustive but serve to provide a clearer understanding of the topic discussed.

While "for instance" conveys a similar meaning and can often be used interchangeably with "for example," it is not the exact translation of "e.g." Thus, while it serves a similar function, it does not directly represent the Latin phrase. The same applies to "to illustrate" and "in other words," which carry different nuances and may not accurately reflect the intent of "e.g." as it is primarily meant to introduce specific examples.